Vol: 35 No: 29

Visiting Rotarians: Sunil Sharma, Shraddha Sharma, from Rotary Club of Delhi Rohini

John Fox Farewell: John and Jan Fox are leaving Ocean Grove and moving to Melbourne this Friday. John has been an active Rotarian in accountancy classification for many years. He joined Rotary at Robinvale in the Murray River area in 1958 and was a past president there. He joined Ocean Grove in 1996 and helped establish the market. He is a Paul Harris fellow with a sapphire pin and club historian. John Fox responded that he had enjoyed the Rotary Club and all its members. He finished with "I've had my chips and tat-tah".

Presidents Report:

Sympathies to the Schmidt family on the death of Jenny's mum, and to the Wynn family on the death of Janice's dad

Thank you to Martin Geerings for organising the visit to Epworth Hospital.

Next week's meeting will be at the O.G. Neighbourhood Centre on the corner of John Dory and Marlin drives. $20 per person and BYO drinks and glasses

We will not be doing Red Cross calling this year, but anyone who wants to help can contact the district organisers – contact Peter Hawthorn or Judy Greer for details.

The child safe standards booklets are circulating. Please read and circulate to the next member quickly.

ROMAC fundraiser this Saturday, 18^th February at Buckley's in Geelong. $32 per ticket does not include a meal. Information is on the District website or see Eng Ho.

We are looking to extend Tiffany's stay until the end of August but need another host family for July – August.

Gerry Spencer and Peter Hawthorn have both been in hospital and we wish them a speedy recovery.

Reports:

Norm Elliott advised the club that Bob Osborne had called to say he does not drive anymore so cannot attend meetings but asked to be remembered to all in the Club.

Martin Geerings provided answers to the questions about Epworth. The four hinges on the doors are because they are heavy, fireproof doors. The point of care system is Windows 8. They do DNA testing and take swabs that are processed in Sydney. He also advised that the sheet for the Oakdene visit would be circulated next week.

Noel Emselle has a ticket for the Eco Boat cruise on the 24^th February available for $50.

John Calnin reported that the Art Show had grossed $10,300 profit but they had bought new display boards and flags with left $8,900 to be distributed to Soldier On, United Care and Mirabel Care. John also reported that there are two vacant positions for next year: Car Raffle organiser and Market organiser. Please volunteer and let him know.

Richard Grimmett provided information on a Parkinson's Fundraiser, 70s dance at the 17^th Beach Golf Club on March 25^th. See him for details.

John Paton provided information on the coming Ride the Bellarine. A list of volunteers will come out soon. He asked members to advise any bike riders they know about the event and ask them to participate. So far they have raised enough for 200,000 doses of polio vaccine.

Geoff Chandler advised that Judy Greer and he had taken 50 students from BSC Year 9 Community Life class for a session on volunteers and Rotary, which had gone very well.

Hans Franken reported on the Disabled Surfers Association event on Sunday 5^th February and said the role of our Rotary Club had been acknowledged.

The next session is on 5^th March.

Guest Speaker: Sunil Sharma   

                                 

                                                                                                                                                       Sunil and his wife Shraddha are members of the Rotary Club of Delhi Rohini and run the Admire India travel company. They would like to organise a trip to India for Rotarians in August 2018.

Sunil gave greetings from the Rotary Club of Delhi Rohini and reported on some of their activities. These include supporting a primary school in Delhi, supporting two Rotaract Clubs, a blind centre and a skills development centre. They also run WINS where school students are taught to wash their hands with soap and the Club has provided washing areas in local schools.

Active India Holidays is located in Delhi and has contracts with Captains' Choice Tours and for cricket supporter's tours for the next test series with Australia. Their tour slogan is 'Incredible India' and they aim to send their visitors back with strong memories of India. A flyer for the proposed tour was distributed. It involves 15 nights for $A3560 twin share. It will visit Delhi, Agra (Taj Mahal), Jaipur (Royal City, jewellery centre), Udaipur (lakes), Mumbai (Bollywood) and Kerala (historic European influences). Departure 10 August, finish 25^th August at the autumn festival, with extensions possible. It includes 5 star hotels, breakfasts, domestic airfares, all entrances, optional Rotary meetings, and taxes. It does not include international airfares (Singapore Airlines has the best connections), insurance, lunches and dinners, visas, drinks, laundry, camera fees. If interested email him by 30^th March. Deposit of $500 and balance in 90 days, payments can be made through local agents.

Extra information in response to questions: travel between cities is by coach and domestic airlines, climate in August is at the end of the monsoon season so a bit hot but enables good rates at hotels and airlines. The return fare should be about $1,300.

Judy Greer thanked Sunil and Shraddha on behalf of the Club and presented them with a club banner.

Cheers, AH